Visa
You will need a visa to visit Zanzibar as it’s part of the United Republic of Tanzania - visit the visa page on the official Tanzania Tourism website to see if your country applies. You can either apply for it beforehand from your local Tanzania Mission authority or get it on arrival at one of the area’s major airports. Your visa will cost around 50$ or 187 SAR if you’re staying for no longer than six months.
Currency
The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). Notes are in denominations of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500 and coins are in 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. If you’re heading straight to one of the more remote islands, withdraw your money beforehand at the airport or at one of the ATMs in Stone Town for a small fee with a Visa or MasterCard. Most major hotels and tour operators will also accept credit card payments, but this will, too, entail a surcharge.
Language
Though over 120 different languages are used across Tanzania, Zanzibar’s most popular languages are, by far, English and Swahili. You’ll have no problem getting around.
Weather
Zanzibar’s tropical weather is revered the world over. Between October and March, temperatures can reach highs of 35°C - though its ‘colder’ months rarely drop below 23°C. March through May is the main rainy season, while June through October is dry - though whenever you choose to go, you can expect plenty of sunshine. Zanzibar’s skies rarely stay cloudy for long.
Getting around
Despite being short on public transport, Zanzibar is very easy to explore via taxi - just ask your hotel to book one for you or flag down one of the many cabs lining the streets of Stone Town. Alternatively, put yourself in the driver’s seat by renting a car through flydubai.
Airport information
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is just 5km south of the city of Zanzibar. Once you land, it’ll only take eight minutes to get downtown from the main terminal. For a more scenic route into the archipelago, land at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam then take the ferry to Stone Town. Though this will take a further two hours, the journey’s packed with stunning views of the Indian Ocean.